Jack Newnes quits St Kilda to seek fresh start as delisted free agent
Carlton signed Eddie Betts, missed out on Tom Papley and should get Jack Martin in the pre-season draft. Now they are set to sign Jack Newnes after he walked out on St Kilda.
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Carlton will sign St Kilda mainstay Jack Newnes as a delisted free agent after promising him a consistent role as a rebounding defender and winger.
Newnes endured a challenging 2019 at the Saints, where he was made to carry out negating forward jobs. He had dropped out of the leadership group prior to the start of the season.
The arrival of Brad Hill and Zak Jones further clouded his future at the club.
The Saints had put a two-year offer on the table for Newnes, but were also aware the 26-year-old was keen on a change of scene.
“In the end, Jack has decided the time is right for a fresh start and we have agreed to delist him. This will allow him the opportunity to join another club as a delisted free agent,” St Kilda list manager James Gallagher said.
“Jack has been an integral part of the Saints for the past eight years. His character, durability, willingness to play different roles and commitment to driving the standards off the track saw him elevated to the club’s leadership group between 2017-18.”
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Carlton, which has had a longstanding interest in Newnes, is expected to formalise his recruitment as soon as the delisted free agency window opens next Friday.
Newnes has passed a medical with the Blues and had a positive meeting with new coach David Teague, who expressed his importance to the side as a half-back/wingman that showcases endurance and durability.
Newnes will compete with the likes of Carlton veteran Kade Simpson, returning co-captain Sam Docherty and returning youngster Tom Williamson.
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Newnes joins Josh Bruce (Western Bulldogs), Jack Steven (Geelong) and Blake Acres (Fremantle) as players departing St Kilda for rival clubs this off-season.
The Saints did, however, rejuvenate its list by signing five new players during a bumper trade period — Brad Hill, Paddy Ryder, Dan Butler, Dougal Howard and Zak Jones.
Newnes equalled a St Kilda record of 123 consecutive games — then the longest current streak in the AFL — before he was omitted in Round 15 last season.
He played 155 games for the Saints after being drafted with pick 37 in the 2011 AFL draft.
Originally published as Jack Newnes quits St Kilda to seek fresh start as delisted free agent
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